​​​​LAREDO – Union Pacific last week announced plans to invest about $90 million to expand operations at its Port Laredo Intermodal Ramp.

​​

The Port Laredo Intermodal Ramp is off I-35 near north mile marker 12 on the city's north side.

Expansion will happen in two phases, each costing an estimated $45 million.

The Omaha-based freight railroad company has started the first phase: a new entrance with automatic gates that will allow the facility to become an around-the-clock operation.

Brenda Mainwaring, vice president of public affairs for the company's southern region, said the second phase, set for an undetermined later date, will double the facility’s size and capacity to handle truckloads.​